Restoring Forests

The paper you are using, buying, converting, recommending, designing...Did it come from a forest that’s thriving or dying?   “Every paper choice you make provides an opportunity to advocate for forests and advance your client’s or company’s environmental commitment.”

Derek Smith spent much of his life’s work in the paper and print industries worldwide before realizing the true impact these industries had on the environment. He came to understand that, from his lens, sustainability starts with forests:

From the billion people who live in or off of the forest, to a forest’s biodiversity that gives life to all...from the industries who rely on forests for their raw materials, to each of us who rely on forests to absorb C0₂ and release oxygen...

For those four reasons and many more, forests are fundamental to our well-being.

Now, you can be certain that your paper comes from a well-managed forest – one that has been certified by a rigorous, recognized process such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)* or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). You can make it a priority, for example, to use papers that have earned the FSC certification. By doing so, you earn the right to use this seal on your paper, a recognized symbol of sustainability.

Every paper choice you make provides the opportunity to advocate for forests and advance your client’s or company’s environmental commitment.

Derek Smith is president of Derek Smith & Associates, a consultancy on the environment for the paper, print and design industries, paperleadership.com

*FSC is The Global Benchmark for Responsible Forest Management. For more information visit The Forestry Stewardship Council.

Check out the full line of FSC-certified papers from Wausau Paper®.